Bianca Pansana Carcania [obverse] c. 16th century

This is a bronze medal of Bianca Pansana Carcania, crafted by Pier Paolo Galeotti in the sixteenth century. The profile portrait is framed with her name, encircled by a beaded border. Consider the laurel wreath adorning her hair. In antiquity, it symbolized triumph and status, gracing emperors and gods. We observe its metamorphosis through time, from ancient Greece to the Renaissance, now subtly placed on a noblewoman, signifying intellect and honor. Such transformation highlights how cultural memory operates, altering symbols to fit new societal values. The laurel's cyclical journey reflects our collective consciousness, echoing through epochs. It resurfaces, evolved and adapted, linking past to present, engaging our subconscious with an enduring tale of aspiration.